Who should QPR be looking to sign in the summer?

Queens Park Rangers' relegation looks all-but assured, meaning that next season the club will be lining up in the Championship.

There is still no knowledge as to who will be managing the West London club next season, but regardless of the man in charge, he will have a lot of work to do to create a squad capable of challenging for a return to the top flight.

Considering the ageing nature of much of the squad, it appears as if many players will be leaving this summer, meaning that the boss will have to revitalise the squad immeasurably.

Much work will need to be done, but there is one area that needs improving more than any other - the defence.

Richard Dunne, Rio Ferdinand and Clint Hill must be let go in the summer, whereas Steve Caulker will likely push for a move to a Premier League team, as he did following Cardiff City’s relegation last term.

Mauricio Isla will return to Juventus at the end of his loan, leaving Yun Suk-young as the only senior defender in the squad.

There are a few promising youngsters coming through in the defensive positions, with Jack Robinson and Darnell Furlong the most likely to make the grade next season, but experience will be needed as well.

This means the club should be looking to sign another defender with a wealth of experience behind him, but one that is preferably not too old.

The Championship has plenty of players who fulfil this role, with the likes of Lewis Dunk, Christophe Berra and Shane Duffy all available for the right price.

In Charlie Austin, QPR have a recognised goalscorer, but he could be tempted to leave following relegation. This would also create a problem in the attacking ranks, and it is hard to see how the R’s would replace him.

Billy Hawkins

Billy is a freelance writer who contributes to various sites concerning football. Known to possess an obsession with statistics, Eastern European club sides, and Victorian football, he focuses upon the untapped potential of the Football League in the belief it is more enjoyable than the Premier League.